SCENE 1- Dragon's Flames
Setting: A dark room with large, full-wall windows in the back, showing a dark city landscape. A desk is front and center, and a large, official spinning chair turned to the windows is behind it. The desk has papers and folders laid out in a perfect pattern, everything at right angles and straight lines to each other, suggesting order and discipline. The lights on the stage are dim, and brighten slightly as TALENA enters stage left. VICIOUS is unseen in the swivel chair.
TALENA crosses the stage to stand slightly to the right of VICIOUS'S desk, and turns at a three-quarters angle to face him.
VICIOUS
You're here about the mission.
TALENA
You've put me on a task I know you're doing for personal reasons, and with Shadow, of all people.
VICIOUS
I know how you feel about her, Talena.
TALENA
The same way you feel about Spike, Vicious? That's the only reason we're on this mission, because of how you feel about Spike.
(VICIOUS says nothing)
TALENA
The Black Tigers are closing in, they're getting ready to make an offense move. You're sending two of your strongest agents out. I can understand getting Shadow out of here, but why me?
VICIOUS
You don't think I might want to keep my sister safe?
TALENA
I do think you'd know that I wouldn't be too enamored of that idea.
VICIOUS
So I will tell you that I wouldn't want anyone else on this job. It is difficult, and I don't want you giving yourself away. Shadow can act as she pleases; maybe even give herself away to Spike to catch his attention. They were always close.
TALENA
What if he remembers me?
VICIOUS
I hope he should, but he won't know you by Talena, you were still known as Nira. It will make him uncomfortable, so he may be more ready to follow Shadow back to me.
TALENA
You owe me for this, V… Setting me up with Shadow, like this…
VICIOUS
On the contrary, sister, I believe it is you who owes me.
(TALENA looks frustrated, and walks back to her exit on stage left. As she starts to walk, SHADOW enters stage right. Their walk pattern almost collides directly in front of VICIOUS, but TALENA is two steps ahead and they just barley miss each other. TALENA exits, and SHADOW stands in the same spot TALENA stood in, but to the other side.)
SHADOW
You wanted to speak with me, about the mission?
VICIOUS
I wasn't sure how much Talena had told you about it.
SHADOW
She doesn't speak with me much, not since Spike left, and we didn't work together anymore.
VICIOUS
So she told you nothing?
SHADOW
She speaks to me little. Yes, she told me nothing more than that you wished to speak with me.
VICIOUS
You and she are going on a mission. You will be separately deposited on Venus. She is to pose as a bounty hunter, chasing you. Your bounty should be substantial enough to attract the attention of Spike. If all works well, Talena won't catch you until the same time they do. You have to get Spike's attention, say something that will cause him to remember you, if he doesn't already. Talena will baragian your substantial bounty for her room and board on their ship. Renew your friendship with Spike before they trade you in, and get him to not turn you in. Talena will suggest heading for Mars, and back her on it. You are to bring Spike back here.
SHADOW
Yes, sir. May I ask why, or is it a secret above my level?
VICIOUS
I wish to see Spike again, and Talena wished to work with you again.
SHADOW
She said… Why?
VICIOUS
You are welcome to any interpretation you will. I don't presume to understand my sister.
SHADOW
No one should presume to understand Talena.
VICIOUS
You may be right about that. Your transport leaves soon, you should go.
(TALENA exits the way she came in, off to stage right)
(VICIOUS swivels around in his chair to face the audience.)
VICIOUS
When will they see that they love each other? Both have confided in me, one way or another, about how they feel. Love born of the days we worked together, with Spike. What went wrong, with Spike? We had it all, when we were together. I know not why he left… After that, we were all split up. No longer did we work as a foursome, but Talena and I worked side by side, and Shadow was sent off as a solo-agent. Shadow and Talena never told the other of their feelings. Shadow's went way back, to before Spike joined, even. And Talena's I didn't find out about until much later, but they might have stemmed from then. I hope this mission will bring them together. And bring Spike back where he belongs.
(The lights go off, leaving the entire theatre in darkness, ready for SCENE 2)
Setting: A dark room with large, full-wall windows in the back, showing a dark city landscape. A desk is front and center, and a large, official spinning chair turned to the windows is behind it. The desk has papers and folders laid out in a perfect pattern, everything at right angles and straight lines to each other, suggesting order and discipline. The lights on the stage are dim, and brighten slightly as TALENA enters stage left. VICIOUS is unseen in the swivel chair.
TALENA crosses the stage to stand slightly to the right of VICIOUS'S desk, and turns at a three-quarters angle to face him.
VICIOUS
You're here about the mission.
TALENA
You've put me on a task I know you're doing for personal reasons, and with Shadow, of all people.
VICIOUS
I know how you feel about her, Talena.
TALENA
The same way you feel about Spike, Vicious? That's the only reason we're on this mission, because of how you feel about Spike.
(VICIOUS says nothing)
TALENA
The Black Tigers are closing in, they're getting ready to make an offense move. You're sending two of your strongest agents out. I can understand getting Shadow out of here, but why me?
VICIOUS
You don't think I might want to keep my sister safe?
TALENA
I do think you'd know that I wouldn't be too enamored of that idea.
VICIOUS
So I will tell you that I wouldn't want anyone else on this job. It is difficult, and I don't want you giving yourself away. Shadow can act as she pleases; maybe even give herself away to Spike to catch his attention. They were always close.
TALENA
What if he remembers me?
VICIOUS
I hope he should, but he won't know you by Talena, you were still known as Nira. It will make him uncomfortable, so he may be more ready to follow Shadow back to me.
TALENA
You owe me for this, V… Setting me up with Shadow, like this…
VICIOUS
On the contrary, sister, I believe it is you who owes me.
(TALENA looks frustrated, and walks back to her exit on stage left. As she starts to walk, SHADOW enters stage right. Their walk pattern almost collides directly in front of VICIOUS, but TALENA is two steps ahead and they just barley miss each other. TALENA exits, and SHADOW stands in the same spot TALENA stood in, but to the other side.)
SHADOW
You wanted to speak with me, about the mission?
VICIOUS
I wasn't sure how much Talena had told you about it.
SHADOW
She doesn't speak with me much, not since Spike left, and we didn't work together anymore.
VICIOUS
So she told you nothing?
SHADOW
She speaks to me little. Yes, she told me nothing more than that you wished to speak with me.
VICIOUS
You and she are going on a mission. You will be separately deposited on Venus. She is to pose as a bounty hunter, chasing you. Your bounty should be substantial enough to attract the attention of Spike. If all works well, Talena won't catch you until the same time they do. You have to get Spike's attention, say something that will cause him to remember you, if he doesn't already. Talena will baragian your substantial bounty for her room and board on their ship. Renew your friendship with Spike before they trade you in, and get him to not turn you in. Talena will suggest heading for Mars, and back her on it. You are to bring Spike back here.
SHADOW
Yes, sir. May I ask why, or is it a secret above my level?
VICIOUS
I wish to see Spike again, and Talena wished to work with you again.
SHADOW
She said… Why?
VICIOUS
You are welcome to any interpretation you will. I don't presume to understand my sister.
SHADOW
No one should presume to understand Talena.
VICIOUS
You may be right about that. Your transport leaves soon, you should go.
(TALENA exits the way she came in, off to stage right)
(VICIOUS swivels around in his chair to face the audience.)
VICIOUS
When will they see that they love each other? Both have confided in me, one way or another, about how they feel. Love born of the days we worked together, with Spike. What went wrong, with Spike? We had it all, when we were together. I know not why he left… After that, we were all split up. No longer did we work as a foursome, but Talena and I worked side by side, and Shadow was sent off as a solo-agent. Shadow and Talena never told the other of their feelings. Shadow's went way back, to before Spike joined, even. And Talena's I didn't find out about until much later, but they might have stemmed from then. I hope this mission will bring them together. And bring Spike back where he belongs.
(The lights go off, leaving the entire theatre in darkness, ready for SCENE 2)